FishNews March 9, 2011

WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS

National - NOAA: U.S. 'Turning a Corner' in Ending Overfishing

At a March 8th hearing in front of the Senate Commerce Committee on the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Assistant NOAA Administrator for Fisheries Eric Schwaab said that the U.S. is making good progress toward meeting the mandate to end domestic overfishing. Read more and view Eric Schwaab's testimony and an archived webcast of the hearing.

National - Obama Administration Announces Members of the National Ocean Council’s Governance Coordinating Committee

The Obama Administration’s National Ocean Council recently announced the inaugural members of its new Governance Coordinating Committee (GCC). The GCC is a group of state, local and tribal representatives that will serve as a key coordinating body on inter-jurisdictional ocean policy issues. GCC members were selected from a pool of nominees submitted by state governors and tribal and local officials. Click here for a list of the members and more information.

National - NOAA Fisheries Accepts Petition to List 5 Species of Sawfishes under the Endangered Species Act; Requests Information for Status Review through May 6

NOAA Fisheries recently announced a 90-day finding on a petition to list six species of sawfish: Anoxyprisitis cuspidata, Prisitis clavata, P. microdon, P. pristis, P. zijsron, and the remaining non-listed population(s) of P. pectinata as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The petition and information in NOAA files present substantial information indicating the petitioned action may be warranted for five of the sawfish species petitioned (A. cuspidata, P. clavata, P. microdon, P. zijsron, and all non-listed population(s) of P. pectinata). NOAA Fisheries will conduct a status review of the five species of sawfish to determine if the petitioned action is warranted. To ensure that the status review is comprehensive, NOAA Fisheries is soliciting scientific and commercial data regarding these species. Information and comments on the subject action must be received by May 6, 2011. Click here for more information or to submit comments.

Northeast - NOAA Proposes Measures to Increase Groundfish and Scallop Fishing Opportunities; Comments Due March 18

NOAA Fisheries recently proposed new measures for the 2011 groundfishing year that give fishermen greater opportunity to fish in Northeast waters, assist small vessel owners, and continue important stock rebuilding. The rule, called Framework 45, is based on recommendations by the New England Fishery Management Council and is now open for comment. Two key measures being proposed include extending the rebuilding period for Georges Bank yellowtail flounder by two years to 2016 and a 2.5 million pound yellowtail flounder catch limit increase for U.S. fishermen. If all the changes are approved, catch limits will increase over the 2010 limits for 12 stocks, decrease for 3 stocks and stay the same for the remaining 5. Another measure in Framework 45 will help small boat fishermen who practice a traditional form of fishing using a hand-held line to catch small amounts of groundfish. These fishermen would be allowed to fish in areas closer to shore when they are seasonally closed to most other groundfishing vessels, helping these fishermen whose smaller vessels cannot move into waters farther from shore to catch groundfish. Scallop fishermen would also benefit from a proposed measure that would lift a ban on some scallop vessels operating in part of the Great South Channel on Georges Bank during the spring. The ban was originally intended to protect spawning yellowtail flounder, which are now protected by strong limits on how much yellowtail flounder can be caught by sea scallop vessels. Comments must be received by March 18. Click here for more information or to submit a comment.

Northeast – NOAA Fisheries Proposes to Implement Measures in Monkfish Amendment 5; Comments Due April 4

NOAA Fisheries is proposing to implement measures in Amendment 5 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (FMP). The New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils developed Amendment 5 to bring the Monkfish FMP into compliance with the annual catch limit and accountability measure requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act. NOAA Fisheries is considering disapproving proposed annual catch targets that are not consistent with the most recent scientific advice. NOAA Fisheries is also proposing three management measures in Amendment 5 to promote efficiency and reduce waste: automatic days-at- sea adjustment for trip limit overages; authorization to land monkfish heads; and changes to the Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program through framework adjustment, and to bring the biological and management reference points in the Monkfish FMP into compliance with recently revised National Standard 1 Guidelines. Click here for more information or to submit a comment.

Northwest/Southwest - Data Needed for 5-Year Review of Pacific Coast Groundfish Essential Fish Habitat

NOAA Fisheries is calling on all interested parties to provide new and updated information related to essential fish habitat for Pacific coast groundfish. This data call is part of the process required by NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Fishery Management Council to periodically review essential fish habitat guidelines of their fishery management plans and to revise these provisions based on available information. Click here for more information.

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EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Chief of Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources; Applications due March 15, 2011

NOAA Fisheries is seeking a Chief of Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation and Policy Division in the Office of Protected Resources. The incumbent's responsibilities include:
     - Supervision and management of Fishery Biologists and other administrative professionals involved in the development and implementation of marine mammal and sea turtle programs in support of the Recovered and healthy marine and coastal species objective of the Healthy Oceans goal of the NOAA Strategic Plan; specifically, implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA) specific to marine mammals and sea turtles, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, and International Protected Species Initiatives.
     -Provide programmatic subject matter expertise on marine mammal and sea turtle issues to NOAA Fisheries offices, Regions and Science Centers; other Federal/State agencies; Congressional staff, user groups, conservation groups.
     -Oversee development of major marine mammal and sea turtle policies, initiatives and positions, including MMPA and ESA initiatives and re-authorization issues.
     -Serve as program authority to the NOAA Fisheries Director and NOAA on major policy directions or on the implementation of marine mammal and sea turtle programs and new strategies for program delivery.
     -Recommend, promote and conduct program reviews for selected marine mammal and sea turtle program elements to improve the quality, effectiveness or efficiency of the programs.

The vacancy is now open through March 15, 2011, and can be accessed via http://www.usajobs.gov/, Announcement NMFS-PR-2011-0003 (Status) or NMFS-PR-2011-0004 (Non-status).

NOAA Fisheries Seeks Director, Scientific Programs and Chief Science Advisor, Applications due April 5

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce seeks a dynamic, innovative leader for the Director, Scientific Programs and Chief Science Advisor for the National Marine Fisheries Service. This is a Senior Executive Service position located in Silver Spring, Maryland, with a salary range of $119,554 to $179,700, and is limited to U.S. citizens. The incumbent serves as the principal spokesperson on scientific and technology issues and guides and directs the work of the agency’s six regional science centers, the Headquarters Office of Science and Technology and coordinates the ecosystem science, research and technology programs throughout the organization to ensure the compatibility and effectiveness of all NOAA’s marine ecosystem activities. The research conducted is used to support fisheries management; recovery of protected resources; conservation and enhancement of habitat; international fisheries affairs; fishery development, trade and industry assistance activities; and the scientific and technical aspects of NOAA’s marine fisheries resources programs. The vacancy is now open through April 5, 2011, and can be accessed via http://www.usajobs.gov/, Announcement NOAA#11-05/NJH. Please contact Rhea Donfour at 301-713-6306 if you have any questions. The U.S. Department of Commerce is an equal-opportunity employer.

Save the Date: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel Meeting, April 5-7, 2011

NOAA Fisheries will hold a meeting of the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel on April 5-7, 2011, in Silver Spring, Maryland. Information on the venue and agenda will be provided at a later date. The intent of this meeting is to consider alternatives for the conservation and management of Atlantic tunas, swordfish, billfish, and sharks. Click here for more information.

Request for Nominations: Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission Advisory Committee; Due April 11

On behalf of the Secretary of Commerce, NOAA Fisheries is seeking nominations for the advisory committee established under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act. The advisory committee is composed of individuals from groups concerned with the fisheries covered by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention. The committee provides input to the United States Commissioners to the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission regarding the deliberations and decisions of the Commission. Nominations must be received no later than April 11, 2011. Click here for more information or to submit a nomination.

NOAA Fisheries Announces Workshops on Protected Species Release, Disentanglement, and Identification and Atlantic Shark Identification in April, May, and June 2011

NOAA Fisheries announces Atlantic Shark Identification Workshops and Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshops to be held in April, May, and June of 2011. Click here for further information regarding workshop requirements or contact Rick Pearson, Highly Migratory Species Management Division, (727) 824-5399.

FEDERAL REGISTER ACTIONS

For a list of only those actions open for public comment, go to http://www.regulations.gov and scroll search for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
For a list of all daily actions, check the Federal register online

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